Switch operating and locking means



duz 15, 1930. E v 1,770,421

SWITCH OPERATING AND LOCKING MEZ'ANS Filed Oct. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l .7/ 4 p 51mm 58 vttweoo 01 VZZZZe Jlell WW b July 15, 1930. O E 1,770,421

I SWITCH OPERATING AND LocKiNG MEANS Filed Oct. 4, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I v ubewtoz GrWLZZe Jrell adorn Q11 0 Patented July 15, 1930' UNETE Application filed October 4,

The invention aimsto generally improve upon the construction shown by my U. S.

' Patent No. 1,087,046 of February 10,1914,

and with this end in View, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter 7 described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawing. n

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a switch and the improved operating and locking means associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional 22 of Fig. 1 showing the. switch closed position. a

Fig. 3 is a sectional viewon line 3-3.0f Fig. 1 also showing the switch lockedin view on linelockedv in:

closed position.

Fig. 4 is a duplicate of Fig. 3 with the exception that it illustrates the switch in open position, the locking means thereof beingreleased. 1

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the bridle bar.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lockreleasingbar; In the drawings above briefly described, the numerals 7and 8 denote conventional switch tongues, and 9 has reference to a bridle bar connected with said tongues at the points 10. This bridlebar is provided atone end with a short longitudinal slot '11 and near its other endis formed with an inwardlyfacing shoulf; der 12 which may well be provided by the inner end of" an insulating connection 13 between two sections of the bar .9, this construction being used in some instances to prevent signalling or other current from passing from the tongue? to the switch stand. 14 the tongue'8 and adjacent rail.

or to Parallel with the bridle bar 9,-is a locking 7 bar 15 for the tongue 8, said bar being proe vided in its upper edge'with a notch 16 to receive said tongue 8 and theadja'cent rail :17. I The bar 15 is pivotally mounted at 18 upon an appropriatesupp'orting bar 19 which extends between andis secured to" two of the cross.

ties 20. The other. end 'ofthe bar 15 is provided with a lateral projection 21 extending to a point beneath the bridle bar 9, this-p'rojection jbeing. preferably in the i'orm of a 1929."-Seria1 No. 397.320. 1 p a g I roller. Beyond the roller or the 1ike l21, a 2

suitable springdevice 22 maybe associated withlthe locklng bar 15 and an overlying stationary bar 23 to assist in raising said locking bar but due to the construction of an operating cam which is provided for saidbar 15,"it is not essential that the springdevice 22:be emp1oyed.

I A locli-rel 'asing'bar 24 lies'slidably against the lower side of the bridle bar 9 and is pro-' vided "at one'end'with a rigidlyattached yoke .25 which slidably surrounds said bridle bar at the inner end of'the conne'ction 18. The other end of the bar 24 underlies theslot 11f and'an actuator26 which maybe moved in one direction orthe other by' the switch stand 14, is provided with a portion'27 passe ing:through the slot11 and} directly connected withthe bar 24i *Nearit-s inner end, the bar provided with a" rigidly attached downwardly projecting-plate 28 h'avinga cam slot'29 formed therein, said cam slot having a horizontal end 30 and an inclinedendBl} The slot end 31 normallymeceivesthe roller'or other projection 21 as se'en in, Fig. 3 andoonsequently holds the locking bar 15 .in its raised lockingpositidn. 'jNV'henthe actuator 26 is inwardly moved by the switch' 'stand',-.its portion 27 slidesrin' the slot 11 I and said actuator thusiinwardly slides the latch releasing bar 24-with respect tofthe bridlebar 9, the result being that the inclined slot end 31 depres'ses the locking'tbarj'24t as seen in Fig. i -therebyreleasin-g 'the' tongue 8-. the time this has taken. .place,"the yoke has'icome' inconta'ct with the shoulder 12 as seen in" Fig. '4; so that furtherinward sliding 1 of'-:the b an '24- under v the influence of theactuator 26, will slide the bridle'bar 9 lto mov e the switch tongues .7 8

to open Reversal 'of the movement of= the5actuatori=126 first restoresv the tongues end 31 to thrust'up'wardly upon the projecm -rmmerect,f.

ORVILLE NELL, or BRIDGEVPORTV, rnnmors 7 8 to closed position, due to the horizontal; slot endandthencauses'the. inclined. slot tion 21, thereby forcing thelocking bar 15 to i said position.

its raised locking'position andholding. it in 24 and the bridle bar 9 than the connection disclosed in my old patent, and the plate 28 with its cam slot 29 constitutes an important improvement in that it not only functions to release the locking bar 15, but also acts to positively restore said locking bar to its locking position, and further serves to hold it in locking position.

The general construction disclosed is preferably followed on account of the existing advantages. However, within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous variations and improvements may be'made and it will' be understood that I am not restricted to materials, size,'proportion, etc.

I I claim s 1. In a switch operating and locking means, a bridle bar for connection with the usual tongues, a vertically movable tongue- 90 looking bar parallel with said bridle bar and having a lateral projection under the latter,

a lock-releasing bar slidably mounted under,

extending longitudinally of and having a-lost motion connection with said bridle bar, and a vertical plate secured to and projecting downwardly from. said lock-releasing bar, said plate having a slot receiving said lateral projection, said slot being provided with a horizontal end and an inclined end, said 30 inclined slot end normally. engaging said lateral projection to hold said locking bar in raised tongue-holding position and standing in readiness to depress said locking bar to released position upon sliding of said lockreleasing bar with respect to the bridle bar,

said horizontal slot end receiving said lateral projection upon unitary movement of locking bar and bridle bar after release of said locking bar.

2. In a switch operating and locking means, a tongue-connecting bridle bar having a slot at one endand an inwardly facing shoulder near its other end, a tongue look, a releasing bar for said lock lying slidably against the lower side of said bridle bar and operatively connected with said look, a yoke rigidwith one end of said lock-releasing bar and slidably' surrounding said bridle bar, said yoke being adapted to thrust against said shoulder to move the switch tongues to open position, and an actuator for said bars, said actuator having a portion passing through said slot and connected with said lock-releasing bar. r

In testimony whereof-I have hereunto-affixed my signature.

oRvn- LE NELL. 

